Fairfield County’s Heber Meraz offers a closer look at the annual Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon.
Heber Meraz is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, former Toys for Tots project coordinator, and an American Red Cross Lifesaving Award recipient. Having previously explored a number of the world’s biggest marathons, Meraz provides a closer look at the Connecticut capital city of Hartford’s annual event which the keen runner is set to tackle later this year.
Held in and around Bushnell Park and consisting of a marathon, half marathon, and 5K race, the next annual Hartford Marathon event is due to take place this October. “The event is set to kick off at 7:55 am on Saturday, October 12, with a finish line expo and post-race festivities continuing until 2 pm,” points out Meraz.
Hartford Marathon is arranged and overseen by Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization which produces road races in communities across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
“Hartford Marathon Foundation events include 5K, 10K, 10 mile, half marathon, and full marathon races,” reveals Meraz, “in addition to a number of triathlon events, and a further trail race.”
In addition to the Hartford Marathon, also known as the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, which takes place each October in Hartford, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s events calendar also includes more than 30 other races. These welcome both seasoned runners and those of all ages and experience levels, from competitive athletes to individuals simply looking for a new fitness challenge.
The Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, however, Meraz goes on to reveal, remains by far the largest single aspect of the foundation. “Yet, regardless of the event in question, the Hartford Marathon Foundation supports a wide array of charities throughout the region,” he explains, “and regularly rallies thousands of participants and volunteers alike to ‘run for good’ each year.”
According to Heber Meraz, these individuals routinely help to raise more than $500,000 annually, all of which goes directly to vital charities, organizations, and other good causes.
“Every year, myself included, many thousands of generous athletes and individuals,” he adds, wrapping up, “complete the Hartford Marathon in order to help raise funds, often for causes which are extremely close to their hearts or matter deeply in their lives.”
Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to encourage families and individuals to adopt and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. The Hartford Marathon Foundation, incorporated in 1994, promotes fitness to all ages and abilities through community collaborations, running events, and school-based programs. For more information, visit https://www.hartfordmarathon.com/.
